Before continuing the “Why I Hunt” Series, I should point-out a few blogs that inspired some of the posts in this series. Matt at Bright Idea Outdoors wrote a post on the “Three M’s of Hunting.” While his post came after this series began, it is definitely an inspiration to the continuation of this series. Darrell at Alpha Trilogy wrote a piece entitled “I Hunt Because It’s Fun”, and I’d have to agree! CDGardens at TimberLife wrote an article about her interest in the outdoors. I strongly recommend all of these stories.

Also, if you’re new to this blog, you should know that this post is part of an ongoing series about Why I Hunt. Onto today’s piece…which Darrell foreshadowed in a recent comment on the last entry in this series when he stated “Peace, Quiet, Solitude combined with keen anticipation tend to bring happiness.”

From my perspective, anticipation is an aspect of hunting that sets it apart from most other outdoor pursuits. Hunting is almost synonymous with anticipation. The hope that a buck walks by is the essence of the hunt, and it is what distinguishes “Hunting” in your stand from merely “Sitting” in the woods.

If you’ve ever seen A River Runs Through It, there is a fabulous quote at the end of the movie:

But when I am alone in the half light of the canyon all existence seems to fade to a being with my soul, and memories, and the sounds of the Big Black Foot River, and a four count rhythm, and the hope that a fish will rise.

I believe this same quote applies to hunting. Most hunters wouldn’t hunt if it weren’t for this hope…this anticipation. Otherwise, it simply wouldn’t be called ‘hunting’. What’s so funny about this hope is how infrequently it is fulfilled. If you think about it, it’s a relatively rare occasion that a deer, let alone a buck, presents itself. Yet, it is this precise moment we continually chase after. The anticipation is so great that the sight of a tail flashing in a thick forest is enough send your heart pounding.

Anticipation can also lead to disappointment. How many times have I been sure that the crunching behind me is a deer, only to find that it’s that pesky chipmunk! Worse yet, what about missed opportunities? We finally see a buck only to make a movement that sends him running the other way, tail flying in the air.

If you’ve ever taken a course in logic, you could say that Anticipation is a necessary but not sufficient condition to be hunting. That is, one cannot hunt without anticipation…it’s a necessary ingredient…one that continually haunts us. It’s why we scout all summer, and trim shooting lanes, and plant foodplots, and spend countless hours at the range.

Hunters are in a constant state of anticipation…

Anticipation, buck, deer, deer hunting, Series

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